Chapter Text
It was a weird notion the Ritual of Unrooting would take him to the place he knew best. Yet it seemed whatever he was about to face was destiny's way of reminding Lloyd he was still the legendary green ninja.
The Monastery of Spinjitsu was his home. It was a simple fact that not even the Merge could change. All those years ago he was taken in by his uncle. A bratty kid finally given a home. Finally given roots. And finally given love and family and faith and happiness. Of course, it was all cut short due to the Prophecy of the Green Ninja. But Lloyd still kept fond memories of his time as a regular kid. It hid the bitterness of all that he had gone through. It was certain to say Lloyd was expecting another place to be grounds of his ultimate battle but seeing as his terrible luck had thrust him through possessions, betrayals, grief and hopelessness, what was another instance of all that.
Thoughts spiralled through his head, each a glimpse of a potential outcome to his current situation. The young adult had faced more mortal enemies than he could count so any one of them could appear before him. His own father was what fate considered his greatest enemy. It could be as simple as that, facing Lord Garmadon, but even the original prophecy was resulting in a diversion of destiny.
“Hello Lloyd.”
Lloyd’s breathing cut short. Whatever effect his prior meditation had on him was now gone. The voice ringing throught the empty monastery... was his own.
"My greatest enemy..." Lloyd managed to muster in his senseless shock. "is me?"
Darkness seemed to shroud the monastery further, the previously familiar midnight glow was now an unsettling black out. It was peculiar beyond measure to see such a warm place rooted in fond memories be twisted into a hollow shell of despair.
Lloyd turned to face his own shadow, gaze narrowed on the apparition’s dark green eyes, one of many differences between the two. His greatest enemy was decked in a muted dark version of Lloyd’s own bright green gi. It was less of an eye sore to stare at but it was of such faded quality and uncomfortable darkness it was not a pleasant sight. Lloyd’s shoulder tensed at the feelings meeting his evil doppelgänger brought, although he couldn’t easily identify them, they were plaguing his mind and dexterity.
“You..ugh... I mean me.” Referring to a villainous version of himself as ‘me’ was weird in its own way but Lloyd continued, “I’m not my own worst enemy.”
Enemy, yes that would do as he tried to ignore the plain fact that it was himself standing before him, moved closer with a frown tightening his face.
“You would want to take the easy way out.” He began circling the green ninja like an oni circling its prey or more fittingly, a teacher disappointed in their student. “Why don’t you blame someone else for your problems, like you usually do. Your dad. Ras. The Merge. Never realising the real problem all along.” His voice held a bratty tone despite the disciplinary nature of his speech.
Lloyd only managed to blink in response, as Enemy inched closer.
”Me..?” Lloyd muttered, deep in thought, “I’m the real problem?”
Enemy continued circling him, gliding from foot to foot as if dancing. Only now was his frown replaced with a grin.
“You’re not a leader. That’s for sure.” He teased even though Lloyd could feel his sincerity. It was himself he was talking to after all.
“What,” Lloyd managed, twisting his body slightly towards Enemy, careful not to expose his weak points.
The dark ninja only moved closer with an even bigger frown painted on his lips.
”How many times have you let your team down? You’ve nearly gotten them all killed.” Enemy was right. Kai. Zane. Jay. Nya. Cole. Again and again. Kai risked his life him when he was still a bratty little kid. Zane had sacrificed himself against the Overlord. Although he had no recollection of such events, Jay had struck himself with a Jinn’s sword to save him and Nya had died in a crossfire of deadly poison. For full week, he though his brothers were dead. He owed his life to all of them and yet there he was defenceless against his greatest enemy. “It’s a wonder they haven’t abandoned you yet.”
“No. We always have each other’s backs.” Lloyd was getting irritated but couldn’t do anything. “The ninja are a team.”
The opponent remained unimpressed, a smirk slowly replacing his frown. “A team you’ll never be able to lead. Not like Master Wu did. Not even like Cole did.” Enemy leaned over him, his looming presence and evident anger displayed clearly as he kicked down Lloyd. He only managed a grunt in response.
Enemy slowed his gait as he moved towards Lloyd. "Where do I even begin with how many mistakes you've made in your life, Lloyd? Let's start with recently. Arin went with Ras because you were such a bad mentor." Lloyd winced at the reminder. That was it. He attempted to stand up but Enemy kicked him down again, placing his foot on his chest.
"You lost Jay for so long his goodness was shattered. You ever wondered why Master Wu, who is still alive, hasn't even tried to come back?" He paused for a moment as if admiring Lloyd's conflicting emotions. "He's too ashamed of what a failure you've become."
That was enough to give him strength. Lloyd focused all his force into getting Enemy off him. For once he thought he had a chance of winning. He lunged forward, initiating a simple attack with enough power to at least temporarily disadvantage his dark ghost. Of course, Enemy dodged every single punch and kick. Fine. Lloyd spun in the familiar steps of a Spinjitzu attack. The bright green illuminated the dark monastery as he spun towards his enemy. Upon contact, his perfect tornado died down and he was met with Enemy’s bored annoyance.
“You’re just trying to manipulate me. Get under my skin.” Lloyd now knew how to recognise manipulators. At least then Harumi had some positive impact on his life.
“With the truth? You know it’s all true, Lloyd. Because I know it’s true.” Enemy teased, punching Lloyd backwards. Lloyd narrowed his eyes, judging the next move. He once again moved in the circular shape of a Spinjitzu tornado, but this time shot himself up. Naturally, Enemy countered with his own forest green Dragons Rising burst. Lloyd had to change his strategy if he wanted to win this battle.
“‘Ninja never quit’? You ever think maybe you should quit? That you have no idea how to lead the ninja, and you only bring them harm? They'd be better off without you.”
“That... That’s not true.” Lloyd spluttered in response. Their fight followed a series of punches until Enemy sent a blast of energy towards him, pinning him up against the Monastery wall despite his successful dodge.
A cracked mirror now stood before him, reflecting Enemy’s confident stance.
“Your failures know no limits. You even managed to anger the Source Dragons.”
The mirror vanished the same way it appeared.
“The most powerful beings in the universe are furious with you.”
“I know.” The two Lloyds lunged at each other, gold on gold.
“You caused them to destabilise the entire Merged Lands! Everything could end and it would all be your fault!”
“I know.”
“You've done more damage to the Merged Lands than Ras. More than any villain has. You could not have brought more destruction if you tried!”
“I know!”
Their fight continued in a constant exchange of sword swings and poorly timed punches. Lloyd lost track of everything Enemy was saying, letting the poison pass through him rather than trying to stop it.
“You can’t beat me because there’s nothing that you can say that I haven’t already said to myself.” It was plain fact. Lloyd began to notice why it was himself that he was fighting. He began noticing the pattern to what he said. If he just kept up...
“Look at you. A boy pretending to be a man. You never grew up and that's why you're a mere shadow of what Master Wu was!” Lloyd winced once again at the mention of Master Wu. He knew it was coming. It gave time for Enemy to strike him down.
“Even before you angered the Gods of this universe, you couldn’t even use their power like the previous conduit. You couldn’t complete the very ritual that was holding all life together. Accept your defeat Lloyd.” Enemy’s grabbed him and began his effortless drag towards the cliff’s edge. “This is the limit of your potential.”
His head was now dangling helplessly in darkness, the shadows clouding any perception of depth. Enemy held him down, preparing for the final strike. His chuckles cut through the solemn stillness of the monastery.
“I knew you weren't strong enough to face your own fears. I never had a doubt about that. Had you come when you were younger, you might've stood a chance, but you accrued a lifetime of failures to use against you. You feel the weight of them with every blow I strike, and believe me, I know how heavy your weakness weighs on your soul, so consider this a gift, an escape from all the mistakes you've made.” He lifted his fist, green energy forming with threatening speed. “It's too late, Lloyd!” Lloyd knew that was incorrect, he hoped. Stopping the incoming fist, he prepared for the finishing blow.
“I can feel how much hate is in your heart.” Lloyd’s voice softened. Maybe this was how he could succeed.
Enemy shot him a bewildered look. “Yes. For you!”
“For us. That rage, it's hurt, it's shame, it's fear with nowhere to go.” Lloyd carefully weaved his words, giving him the correct amount of confusion for him to stand up. “I've made a lot of mistakes. But without them, I'd never have learned. Mistakes are how we grow. You are just my weaknesses come to life. And I won't give you any more power.” Despite his weaponisation of his words, Lloyd knew in his heart he was speaking the truth. Knowing was powerful. Knowing was what he needed. So he could finally believe it as well.
“You'll never be able to shake your own fears and failures!”
Lloyd felt a sudden pain in his chest. He was falling. He had failed.
Glass shattered beneath him. Colours blurred into one nauseating swirl of white hot pain. Light broke through. All he could feel was an emptiness as he floated like a wisp.
A soft voice cut through his painful oblivion.
"Dearly departed." Oh. So he was dead. "This may come as a shock, but you have transitioned out of the living world. I vow to protect you as you... Lloyd?"
Lloyd flinched at his name, opening his eyes to finally face his fate. He was in the Spectral Lands, the place where they had fought Thunderfang not so long ago. The moment Lloyd noticed he was floating, he immediately fell to the ground in front of the figure that was talking to him before he physically manifested there.
The ghost's voice carried a certain remorse Lloyd couldn't place until he took a better look at him. He figured that they knew each other, but when? He was wearing a gi similar to that of Enemy, the only difference being his was more of a muted grey and mostly torn. Lloyd finally gazed into the familiar stranger's eyes. They were dark chartreuse. A name quivered on his lips.
"Morro?" He nodded at his name, holding out a hand. The green ninja staggered backwards, eyes darting from Morro to the staff he carried on his back. He felt a cold wet hand pull him back. Lloyd gave in. Anything to get him out. To get him away from Morro. He would not be manipulated once again in the same day.
"Stay away from me." Lloyd murmured with enough venom for the ghost to hear him. And then he was gone.
Lloyd was falling once again. Morro's impossibly soft voice trailed behind him.
"Tell Arin he's a good kid."
Voices filled the emptiness he was now in.
"We should have his fate coming"
"It is a great loss among mortals"
Lloyd finally recognised the voices as the Source Dragons.
"This cannot be his end. The Legendary Green Ninja's power is to enhance, to connect. He may have failed the traditional trials, but his true gift, his true potential, is anything but traditional"
Maybe this wasn't the end?
"Your previous conduit. Was she not in a similar predicament?"
"Not quite. But you are right. She may provide guidance and he may help her in return. For a mortal, her loss was too heavy to bear."
"So it is decided?"
A unanimous grumble sounded across the void.
He was falling.
Again.
"Hey guys. Get over here!"
Morro did not expect Lloyd's death to be so soon. It was quite likely he was brought back after he vanished. But a part of Morro secretly hoped he'd come back. For closure.